In this issue ...

Click on any one of these selections to get right to the patterns, and when you see a photo and description that appeals to you, click on the photo and you’ll get right to the catalog page with all the details you need to know about that design.

From the Prime Minister's Desk

Julia Grunau

Tragic news this time. Early this summer, one of our most gifted and prolific designers, Elena Nodel, was taken by cancer at the shockingly young age of 42. Her husband Peter Sims and daughter Maya (only 10 at the time) survive her. You can see Peter and/or Maya in almost all the photography for her work, looking especially delighted by their knitwear.

I never had the honour of meeting Elena, but have been a huge fan since she started posting her work on Patternfish. You can see her joy in design: she never had a rigid style, but took her skill for walks and skips and cartwheels. Her pieces are worked top-down, sideways, bottom up-- whatever will produce the effect she wants. But while her garments are rich-looking and often detailed, they are never difficult to knit. The patterns are very carefully written and extend to many illustrated pages in some cases, so even (ambitious) beginners can have a reasonable go. And her size ranges are usually vast; this is typical of her generosity.

Patternfish contributed to Elena and Peter's GoFundMe page when we first became aware of Elena's illness, and we are continuing our support of her family with this newsletter. 100% of the proceeds of the sale of the Anadiomena's Designs on Patternfish (less the PayPal transaction costs) will be remitted to her family in perpetuity.

At 19, my daughter is too old for this piece, but it makes me wish she were a little girl again so I could make it for her. It's princessy without goo, especially in the regal purple colour shown.

Elena Nodel

Valanar Cowl (S & L)

Look how artfully this cowl (my mom would have called it a dickey) is shaped! And what a perfect colourway; it's armour, a true defense against the cold.

Elena Nodel

Grow With Me Bonnet (NB-24m)

This irresistible, splendid, unisex baby bonnet is startlingly distinctive yet fairly easy to knit. The babe wearing it could have been found in a cabbage patch, parsley bed (à la Pat of Silver Bush), or in an Elven nursery.

Elena Nodel

Magical (6m-14 years)

I am actually currently in the midst of knitting this design (the one on the left) for a 6-year-old boy, who approved it on sight but wanted it in red. It's fascinating to work the yoke and I just love the look.

Elena Nodel

Modern Pixie Sweater (18m-14 years)

This is just an amazingly versatile, layerable piece that takes your kid through all but the year's hottest months. Make it longer, as a tunic or dress length, and it will grow with her for years and years, worn with leggings or jeans or shorts (or all of them).

Elena Nodel

Moody (XXS-XXXL)

And not to leave out the grown women, here is Moody: dashing, dramatic, but practical and warming too in its Aran weight and ribbed design.